British Airways vs. Virgin Atlantic

[sand2270]

I am planning a 2012 to London and Paris, flying in and out of Heathrow. I am trying to decide between these two airlines and looking for some opinions from people who have flown both or either. Most of the reviews I read focus on the bad and I would like to hear some of the good if there is any.

I am interested in British Airways because ther is a direct flight from Phoenix and fares seem reasonable. I might be able to swing Premium Economy on Virgin Atlantic which is why I am considering them.

Thanks.

 

[goofy4tink]

If I remember correctly, you can choose seats with one and not the other...I think it's British Airways that you have to wait until you get to the airport. We flew VA out of Boston a few years ago and found it to be a very good experience.

 

[sand2270]

If I remember correctly, you can choose seats with one and not the other...I think it's British Airways that you have to wait until you get to the airport. We flew VA out of Boston a few years ago and found it to be a very good experience.

Yes looks like British Airways doesn't allow you to choose until 24 hours prior unless you pay for it.

I was excited about VA until I started reading reviews online and they were not good. But I know people will usually post complaints and not good things.

 

[goofy4tink]

I had a very good experience with VA...and the friend that we flew with uses them exclusively when flying to London.

 

[J0hny]

When i need to fly to London, I use British Airways and sometimes in the past i used VA but something wasn't ok for me so i changed the company, and from that day my flights to london are really relaxed.

 

[FoodLover]

Something to consider: BA has a LOT of strikes. We found ourselves traveling during a flight attendants' strike last spring that made our trip to London very unpleasant. I understand there have been some threats of strikes this year as well.

We've never had a bad experience with Virgin.

Mary

 

[bekkiz]

Something to consider: BA has a LOT of strikes. We found ourselves traveling during a flight attendants' strike last spring that made our trip to London very unpleasant. I understand there have been some threats of strikes this year as well.

We've never had a bad experience with Virgin.

Mary

Funny (or maybe not) we got stuck in London for 5 days because BA went on strike while we were in the air from Athens to London (and then we were supposed to go on to San Francisco). We made the best of it, but I didn't realize this was a pattern for BA. Our trip was in 2003.

 

[15isto2]

I much prefer Virgin over BA.

BA used to be called BOAC many many years ago and was often called Better On a Cammell LOL

 

[KINGBOBOFTHENORTH]

I've flown both and can't say one is better than the other. To me, it would come down to Price first. If one has a non-stop and the other requires a connection, that's a consideration too if the price is the same.

BobK/Orlando

 

[beachbunny]

I've flown both, most recently VA last week. I'd say that regular economy is generally the same with both airlines.

The big difference is that VA has premium economy. PE is about the same as domestic business class here in the US. You get extra leg room, leather seats with lumbar support and a footrest, a pre-flight drink, amenities kit, newspapers/magazines, meals on china, after dinner drink, etc. I would pick VA PE.

 

[kirsnikity]

I've not flown BA but have flown VA economy class for two separate trips. I had a good experience both times and would choose them again. I'm not sure what's on BA, but Virgin has a really good personal entertainment center ( lots of tv shows, movies, music etc). Food was above average and the flight attendants friendly.

 

[MAH4546]

I've flown both, most recently VA last week. I'd say that regular economy is generally the same with both airlines.

The big difference is that VA has premium economy. PE is about the same as domestic business class here in the US. You get extra leg room, leather seats with lumbar support and a footrest, a pre-flight drink, amenities kit, newspapers/magazines, meals on china, after dinner drink, etc. I would pick VA PE.

BA also has Premium Economy.

 

[Pakey]

I've flown both, most recently VA last week. I'd say that regular economy is generally the same with both airlines.

The big difference is that VA has premium economy. PE is about the same as domestic business class here in the US. You get extra leg room, leather seats with lumbar support and a footrest, a pre-flight drink, amenities kit, newspapers/magazines, meals on china, after dinner drink, etc. I would pick VA PE.

We flew on BA in Premium Economy a few months ago and had these same amenities.

 

[sand2270]

Thanks for the input everyone